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No records of Bogus Self-Employment kept by Department of Social Protection ‘astonishing’ – Brady

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Employment Affairs & Social
Protection John Brady TD has said that the revelation by Department officials
at this morning’s Committee meeting that no records are kept of Bogus
Self-Employment is ‘astonishing’.

Speaking at Committee, Teachta Brady said:

“It is baffling that the Department of Employment Affairs
& Social Protection keeps no records whatsoever on cases of Bogus
Self-Employment despite carrying out inspections to supposedly identify it.

“The Department cited that in 2017 they carried out 2,698
employer reviews with savings of €2.27 million recorded yet could not tell the
Committee the number of these reviews which resulted in Bogus Self-Employment
being identified.

“So, we have the bizarre situation where inspections are
being carried out yet no data is being kept on the level of Bogus
Self-Employment found. Therefore, this begs the questions as to why the
Department would even bother carrying out the inspections in the first place.

“Despite keeping no records of actual Bogus Self-Employment,
the Department believe from some reports they cite, that Bogus Self Employment
is not significant or prevalent. This shows a very lax attitude on behalf of
the Department to the whole area of Bogus Self-Employment and any real
intention of tackling it.

“While on the one hand, the Department are happy to put
pressure on ordinary citizens to recoup money where they themselves make a
mistake and an overpayment is made and where they are happy to roll out
campaigns on so-called welfare cheats, yet they have no issue with millions
being lost through Bogus Self-Employment.

“This is a ridiculous situation and, for those
trapped in Bogus Self-Employment, it is clear that the Department do not want
to know.”